Multi-ply flexible container for wine and the like

ABSTRACT

A multi-ply flexible container comprising opposing first and second inner panels, opposing outer panels, a seal and an oxygen scavenger. The opposing outer panels extend over each of the first and second opposing inner panels respectively. The seal joins the first and second outer panels and the first and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and at least one outer cavity. The oxygen scavenger is associated with at least one of the opposing first and second outer panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a multi-ply flexiblecontainer construction, and more particularly, to a multi-ply flexiblecontainer having an oxygen scavenger positioned between the plies. Theflexible container is suitable for use as an inner container positionedwithin an outer container. For example, the flexible container can besuitably filled with wine. The invention is not limited to use inassociation with wine, and, other flowable materials, both food productand non-food product are likewise contemplated for use therewith.

2. Background Art

The use of an oxygen scavenger in a container to absorb oxygen is wellknown in the art. The oxygen scavenger generally absorbs oxygen which ispresent in the container and absorbs oxygen which is migrating throughthe container. While such products have been developed, certaindrawbacks have been encountered.

Many of the container structures incorporating oxygen scavengers arelimited to use as a part of a rigid container, or to seal an otherwiserigid container. The materials and structures are either not suitablefor use in association with flexible packaging, or are not compatiblewith materials and durability requirements of flexible packaging.Moreover, certain of the products are not suitable for direct andcontinuous contact with food grade materials.

Other container structures utilizing oxygen scavengers have beencontemplated for use in association with flexible packaging. While suchcontainers have had limited success, drawbacks persist. First, some ofthe structures having oxygen scavenging properties are not suitable forprolonged contact with food grade products. Other products have anegative effect on the taste of the product contained within thecontainer. Indeed, certain food products are not materially affected bythe changes in taste due to the oxygen scavenger. Other products, suchas wine and other taste sensitive products are destroyed by the contactwith such materials. Even short exposure to the oxygen scavengingstructures can destroy the taste properties of such products.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a flexiblecontainer having oxygen scavenging properties.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flexible containerhaving oxygen scavenging properties wherein the oxygen scavengingmaterial does not detrimentally affect the taste of the productcontained in the flexible container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multi-ply flexible container comprising an inner ply, an outer ply anda fitment. The inner ply comprises a first inner panel, a second innerpanel and at least one seal. The first inner panel has an outer surfaceand an inner surface. The second inner panel has an outer surface and aninner surface. The inner surfaces of each of the first and second innerpanels face each other. At least one seal joins the first and secondouter panels to define an inner cavity. The outer ply includes a firstouter panel, a second outer panel, an oxygen scavenger and at least oneseal. The first outer panel has an outer surface and an inner surface.The first outer panel is positioned such that the inner surface of thefirst outer panel faces the outer surface of the first inner panel. Thesecond outer panel has an outer surface and an inner surface. The secondouter panel is positioned such that the inner surface of the secondouter panel faces the outer surface of the second inner panel. Theoxygen scavenger is associated with at least one of the first and secondouter panels. The at least one seal joins the first and second outerpanels to one of each other and the respective first and second innerpanels to define an outer cavity. The fitment provides fluidcommunication with the inner cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second outer panelsinclude an oxygen scavenger.

In another preferred embodiment, each of the seals joining the outerplies and the seals joining the inner plies are substantiallycoextensive.

In yet another embodiment, at least one of the first and second panelscomprise a multi-layer construction having a seal layer, and a caplayer, the oxygen scavenger being positioned between the seal layer andthe cap layer. In one such embodiment, the first and second panelsfurther comprise a nylon layer positioned between the seal layer and thecap layer. In another such embodiment, the first and second panelsinclude an identical multi-layer construction.

In a preferred embodiment, the oxygen scavenger comprises a ferrousoxide based material.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a multi-plyflexible container comprising opposing first and second inner panels,outer panels, a seal and an oxygen scavenger. The outer panels compriseopposing first and second outer panels extending over each of the firstand second opposing inner panels respectively. The seal joins the firstand second outer panels and the first and second inner panels to definean inner cavity and at least one outer cavity. The oxygen scavenger isassociated with at least one of the opposing first and second outerpanels.

In one embodiment, the seal joins the first and second outer panels andthe first and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and twoouter cavities. Each outer cavity opposes the inner cavity.

In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second outer panelscomprises a multi-layer construction having a seal layer and a caplayer. The oxygen scavenger positioned between the seal layer and thecap layer thereof.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second panels comprises amulti-layer construction having a seal layer and a cap layer, the oxygenscavenger positioned between the seal layer and the cap layer thereof.

Preferably, the first and second inner layers comprise an oxygenpermeable material.

In another preferred embodiment, the first and second inner layers andthe first and second outer layers are dimensionally substantiallyidentical. Preferably, at least one outer cavity comprises two outercavities, each outer cavity being substantially identical inconfiguration and each of the two outer cavities positioned on opposingsides of the inner cavity.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a winecontainer. The wine container comprises an outer container, a multi-plyflexible container and a wine product. The multi-ply flexible containeris positioned within the outer container and includes opposing first andsecond inner panels, outer panels, a seal and an oxygen scavenger. Theouter panels comprise opposing first and second outer panels extendingover each of the first and second opposing inner panels respectively.The seal joins the first and second outer panels and the first andsecond inner panels to define an inner cavity and at least one outercavity. The oxygen scavenger is associated with at least one of theopposing first and second outer panels. The fitment provides fluidcommunication with the inner cavity. The wine product is positionedwithin the inner cavity of the multi-ply flexible container.

In a preferred embodiment, the wine includes free SO₂. The oxygenscavenger is capable of maintaining free SO₂ in excess of 10 ppm for aperiod of time greater than a multi-ply flexible container either ofEVOH or metalized polyester based material.

In another preferred embodiment, the wine includes dissolved oxygen. Theoxygen scavenger is capable of reducing the dissolved oxygen within thewine over a predetermined period of time to a level lower than thatachievable with a multi-ply flexible container either of an EVOH ormetalized polyester based material.

In another preferred embodiment, the dissolved oxygen is at least 30%lower within the wine than that achievable with a multi-ply flexiblecontainer of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material over apredetermined period of time in excess of 71 days.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the dissolved oxygen is at least20% lower within the wine than that achievable with a multi-ply flexiblecontainer of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material over apredetermined period of time in excess of 95 days.

In another preferred embodiment, the dissolved oxygen is at least 30%lower within the wine than that achievable with a multi-ply flexiblecontainer of either an EVOH or metalized polyester based material over apredetermined period of time in excess of 95 days.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings comprises a perspective view of a multi-plyflexible container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 of the drawings comprises a perspective view of an outercontainer having a multiple flexible container of the present inventionpositioned therein;

FIG. 3 of the drawings comprises a cross-sectional view of the multi-plyflexible container of the present invention taken generally along lines3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the drawings comprises a partial cross-sectional view of themulti-ply flexible container of the present invention, showing, inparticular, the outer ply thereof taken generally along lines 4-4 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 of the drawings comprises a graph of the results of an experimentpertaining to four different containers, plotting dissolved oxygenversus time; and

FIG. 6 of the drawings comprises a graph of the results of an experimentpertaining to four different containers, plotting free SO₂ versus time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings several specific embodiments withthe understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, are identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely representations of the present invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, multi-plyflexible container 10 is shown. As will be explained, the multi-plyflexible container of the present invention is particularly well suitedfor the transport and dispensing of wine and other oxygen sensitivematerials. It will be understood that the container is not limited touse in association with wine or any particular flowable material.Generally, the container is filled with a wine product 110 andpositioned within an outer container, such as outer container 100 ofFIG. 2 (wherein the multi-ply flexible container is shown in dashedlines). The outer container generally comprises a paperboard container,although it is not limited thereto. In use, fitment 16 is extendedthrough container 100 and generally attached thereto to facilitatedispensing.

With reference to FIG. 3, multi-ply flexible container 10 comprisesinner ply 12, outer ply 14 and fitment 16 (FIG. 1). Inner layer 12comprises first panel 20, second panel 22 and seals 24. First panel 20comprises outer surface 30 and inner surface 32 opposing the outersurface. Second panel 22 comprises outer surface 34 and inner surface 36opposing the outer surface. The two panels are positioned such thatinner surface 32 and inner surface 36 of the first and second panels,respectively, face each other. Seals 24 are strategically positionedabout the outer periphery of the panels to join same. The seals aresubstantially continuous so as to, with the first and second panels,define cavity 26.

The first and second inner panels may comprise a multi-layerconstruction comprising a variety of different layers. Furthermore, thefirst and second inner panels comprise a material which is preferablyoxygen permeable within certain desired limits. Of course, it iscontemplated that the first and second inner panels comprise aco-extrusion, a laminate or another multi-layer construction.

Outer ply 14 is shown in FIG. 3 as comprising first outer panel 40,second outer panel 42 and seals 44. First outer panel 40 comprises outersurface 50 and inner surface 52. Second outer panel 42 comprises outersurface 54 and inner surface 56. The two panels are positioned about therespective outer panels in such a manner in which inner surface 52 offirst outer panel 40 faces outer surface 30 of first panel 20, and innersurface 56 of second outer panel 42 faces outer surface 34 of secondpanel 22. In turn, the inner plies are sandwiched between the first andsecond panels of the outer ply.

The two outer ply panels are joined together by seals 44 so as to definecavity 46. In the embodiment shown, seals 24 and 44 are merged, suchthat a single set of seals joins each of the outer plies and inner pliestogether. In other embodiments, portions of seals 24 and 44, or theentirety of seals 24 and 44 may be distinct. In either structure, cavity26 is at least partially surrounded by the outer ply. Preferably cavity26 is fully contained within cavity 46, and cavity 46 is bisected intofirst cavity 60 and second cavity 62. First cavity 60 is defined byinner surface 52 of first outer panel 40 and outer surface 30 of firstpanel 20, bound by seals 44. Second cavity 62 is defined by innersurface 56 of second outer panel 42 and outer surface 34 of second panel22, bound by seals 44.

The first and second outer panels, comprise a multi-layer constructionhaving a high barrier to oxygen. For example, one or both of the outerpanels may comprise a multi-layer construction shown in FIG. 4 havingcap layer 51, nylon layer 55 and seal layer 57. A scavenger material 53may be positioned between the various layers of the multi-layerlaminate. Of course, other laminate constructions are contemplated foruse, and the scavenger may be positioned in any number of locationstherebetween. In other embodiments, the scavenger material may be in aseparate matrix which is adhered or otherwise associated with one ormore of the outer panels. With respect to the scavenger material inparticular, one oxygen scavenging material that has exhibited suitableproperties comprises a product sold by Ciba under the trade nameSHELFPLUSO₂. The particular product comprises an iron based scavengerhaving a sodium chloride activator. The invention is not limited to anyparticular type or class of oxygen scavengers. For example, other oxygenscavengers are contemplated for use as well, including, but not limitedto oxidizable polymers, UV activatable polymers, among others.

Incorporating an oxygen scavenger material with the outer ply materialmaintains the oxygen scavenger physically away from inner cavity 26,while effectively scavenging the oxygen positioned within first cavity60 and second cavity 62, either present due to the manufacturingprocess, or migrated from within cavity 26 or through the outer ply.Thus, the physical separation precludes the oxygen scavenger fromaffecting the taste of the product contained within the container. Evenif a pin hole or other small breach occurs within the inner ply, andsome product migrates between plies, the limited contact of suchmaterial with the outer ply minimizes the possibility that the oxygenscavenger can affect the taste of the product. For flowable materialsthat are less susceptible to taste degradation, an oxygen scavenger maybe associated with the inner ply as well, such as, for example, on theouter surface of the inner ply.

Certain tests were performed to determine the effectiveness of thecontainer of the present invention. In particular, four differentcontainers were formed and filled with the same wine product. The firstcontainer comprised a metalized polyester type flexible bag produced byScholle Corporation under the trade name Hybar. The second containercomprised an EVOH type flexible bag produced by Scholle Corporationunder the trade name DS34. The third container comprised another EVOHtype flexible bag produced by Scholle Corporation under the trade nameDS34ES. Finally, the fourth container comprised a flexible bag producedin accordance with the present invention.

Each container was filled with an oxygenated wine provided from the samebatch. Wine is a particular fluid which is susceptible to oxidation(degradation) and which is susceptible to taste variation caused bypackaging material. Once filled, the containers were sealed. The graphshown in FIG. 5 shows the dissolved oxygen present in the containersover a period of 118 days. Significantly, at the outset, a reading of 4ppm (parts per million) of dissolved oxygen was measured in eachcontainer. After 118 days, 1.43 ppm of dissolved oxygen was measured inthe container produced in accordance with the present invention. Thelowest reading of the remaining containers was 2.18 ppm of dissolvedoxygen which was measured in the EVOH based DS34ES product. A reading of4.22 ppm was measured in the metalized polyester based Hybar container.

In addition to the foregoing measurements, measurements were taken ofthe free SO₂ that was present in the containers. Typically, free SO₂ isprovided in wine to preclude oxidation of the wine, and, in turn,degradation. Once free SO₂ measurements fall below about 10 ppm,oxidization of the wine accelerates. Thus, it is desirable to maintain alevel of free SO₂ in excess of 10 ppm as long as possible, to precludeoxidation and degradation. In the tested containers, the graph shown inFIG. 6 shows the quantity of free SO₂ measured in the containers.Testing of free SO₂ was terminated once the quantities present fallbelow 10 ppm. Significantly, between 43 and 58 days after being filled,the free SO₂ levels fell below 10 ppm in each of the test containers(other than the container made in accordance with the presentinvention). The free SO₂ levels remained above 10 ppm for at least 71days, and fell below 10 ppm between 71 and 85 days after being filled.Accordingly, the shelf life of the wine within the container produced inaccordance with the present invention was enhanced.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting the scope of the invention.

1. A multi-ply flexible container comprising: an inner ply comprising: afirst inner panel having an outer surface and an inner surface; a secondinner panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein theinner surfaces of each of the first and second inner panels face eachother; and at least one seal joining the first and second outer panelsto define an inner cavity; an outer ply comprising: a first outer panelhaving an outer surface and an inner surface, the first outer panelpositioned such that the inner surface of the first outer panel facesthe outer surface of the first inner panel; a second outer panel havingan outer surface and an inner surface, the second outer panel positionedsuch that the inner surface of the second outer panel faces the outersurface of the second inner panel; an oxygen scavenger associated withat least one of the first and second outer panels; and at least one sealjoining the first and second outer panels to one of each other and therespective first and second inner panels to define an outer cavity; anda fitment providing fluid communication with the inner cavity.
 2. Themulti-ply flexible container of claim 1 wherein each of the first andsecond outer panels include an oxygen scavenger.
 3. The multi-plyflexible container of claim 1 wherein each the seals joining the outerplies and the seals joining the inner plies are substantiallycoextensive.
 4. The multi-ply flexible container of claim 1 wherein atleast one of the first and second panels comprise a multi-layerconstruction having a seal layer, and a cap layer, the oxygen scavengerbeing positioned between the seal layer and the cap layer.
 5. Themulti-ply flexible container of claim 4 wherein the first and secondpanels further comprise a nylon layer positioned between the seal layerand the cap layer.
 6. The multi-ply flexible container of claim 4wherein the first and second panels include an identical multi-layerconstruction.
 7. The multi-ply flexible container of claim 1 wherein theoxygen scavenger comprises a ferrous oxide based material.
 8. Amulti-ply flexible container comprising: opposing first and second innerpanels; opposing first and second outer panels extending over each ofthe first and second opposing inner panels respectively; a seal joiningthe first and second outer panels and the first and second inner panelsto define an inner cavity and at least one outer cavity; and an oxygenscavenger associated with at least one of the opposing first and secondouter panels.
 9. The multi-ply flexible container of claim 8 wherein theseal joins the first and second outer panels and the first and secondinner panels to define an inner cavity and two outer cavities, eachouter cavity opposing the inner cavity.
 10. The multi-ply flexiblecontainer of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second outerpanels comprises a multi-layer construction having a seal layer and acap layer, the oxygen scavenger positioned between the seal layer andthe cap layer thereof.
 11. The multi-ply flexible container of claim 10wherein each of the first and second panels comprises a multi-layerconstruction having a seal layer and a cap layer, the oxygen scavengerpositioned between the seal layer and the cap layer thereof.
 12. Themulti-ply flexible container of claim 8 wherein the first and secondinner layers comprise an oxygen permeable material.
 13. The multi-plyflexible container of claim 8 wherein the first and second inner layersand the first and second outer layers are dimensionally substantiallyidentical.
 14. The multi-ply flexible container of claim 13 wherein theat least one outer cavity comprises two outer cavities, each outercavity being substantially identical in configuration and each of thetwo outer cavities positioned on opposing sides of the inner cavity. 15.A wine container comprising: an outer container; a multi-ply flexiblecontainer positioned within the outer container, comprising: opposingfirst and second inner panels; opposing first and second outer panelsextending over each of the first and second opposing inner panelsrespectively; a seal joining the first and second outer panels and thefirst and second inner panels to define an inner cavity and at least oneouter cavity; an oxygen scavenger associated with at least one of theopposing first and second outer panels; and a fitment providing fluidcommunication with the inner cavity; and a wine product positionedwithin the inner cavity of the multi-ply flexible container.
 16. Thewine container of claim 15 wherein the wine includes free SO₂, theoxygen scavenger is capable of maintaining free SO₂ in excess of 10 ppmfor a period of time greater than a multi-ply flexible container eitherof EVOH or metalized polyester based material.
 17. The wine container ofclaim 15 wherein the wine includes dissolved oxygen, the oxygenscavenger is capable of reducing the dissolved oxygen within the wineover a predetermined period of time to a level lower than thatachievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH ormetalized polyester based material.
 18. The wine container of claim 15wherein the dissolved oxygen is at least 30% lower within the wine thanthat achievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH ormetalized polyester based material over a predetermined period of timein excess of 71 days.
 19. The wine container of claim 18 wherein thedissolved oxygen is at least 20% lower within the wine than thatachievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH ormetalized polyester based material over a predetermined period of timein excess of 95 days.
 20. The wine container of claim 18 wherein thedissolved oxygen is at least 30% lower within the wine than thatachievable with a multi-ply flexible container of either an EVOH ormetalized polyester based material over a predetermined period of timein excess of 95 days.